Figures show workers from Europe benefited British economy

12.00.00am GMT Wed 8th Feb 2006

Liz Lynne, West Midlands Liberal Democrats MEP and spokesperson on Employment and Social Affairs for the Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament, today welcomed new figures which show workers from Central and Eastern Europe have benefited the British economy.

A report published today by the European Commission found that workers from states, which joined the EU in 2004, have boosted growth without increasing unemployment in the UK, Ireland and Sweden, which fully opened their labour markets. By contrast, the twelve countries, which did not fully open their labour markets, have seen an increase in the number of illegal workers.

Commenting in Brussels on the Commission's report, Liz Lynne said, "Today's report should kill off once and for all the outdated myth of 'Polish plumbers stealing our jobs'. The facts are clear: opening our markets to Central and Eastern European workers has been good for Britain, good for British workers and good for British business."

"2006 is supposedly the European 'year of mobility', yet there remain strict labour restrictions throughout Europe on citizens from Central and Eastern Europe."

"It is up to the countries which have yet to fully open their labour markets to look at the statistics and do the maths. Not only is labour protectionism unnecessary, it can be counterproductive, simply increasing the number of migrant workers on the black market."

"I now look forward to those countries following the UK's lead and doing away with restrictions to the free movement of workers."

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. Today's report by European employment commissioner Vladimir Spidla found that "the migration flows following the enlargement have had positive effects on the economies of the EU15 member states." Newcomers "positively contribute to the overall labour market performance, to sustained economic growth and to better public finances."

2. The UK registered around 200,000 job seekers from enlargement countries in 2004. The Commission report found these workers made just 45 benefits claims over the same period.

3. The report also found that labour restrictions in those countries which have not fully opened their markets may have encouraged "an exceptionally high influx of posted workers or workers claiming to be self-employed" and warns that "restrictions on labour market access may exacerbate resort to undeclared work."

For further information, comment or to book an interview, please telephone Liz Lynne on 003222845521 (Brussels) or 077644 52725 (mobile) or Press Officer Steve Nowottny in Stratford-Upon-Avon on 01789 262785.